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Ford Fund Partners with City of Tacoma and Washington State History Museum to Honor Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Men of Courage Barbershop Challenge & Men of Change Exhibit

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The Men of Courage Barbershop Challenge– an initiative aimed at furthering the narrative of positive imagery and messaging around African American men – headed to the Pacific Northwest this week to unveil the finalists in the Ford Men of Courage Tacoma Barbershop Challenge. The challenge centers on a keystone in communities, the African American barbershop, and encourages shop owners to utilize their existing foundation for community conversation as a launch pad to turn those ideas into community outreach.

This week’s events consisted of the official unveiling of the newly renovated Men of Courage branded Barbershop Challenge Finalists: Goodfellas 253 and Legends Barbershop as well as a specially curated Leadership Forum.

Men of Courage Barbershop Challenge Makeover

In addition to the $10,000 grand prize, finalists for the Men of Courage Barbershop challenge received a custom renovation designed to enhance the customer experience and inspire the Men of Courage narrative in the community. Attendees toured the newly renovated facilities, Wednesday evening, January 16. Owners, Eric Upchurch (Goodfellas 253) and Hasani Frederick (Legends Barbershop) were on hand to discuss their vision for the competition and the impact it will make on their community.

Men of Courage Leadership Forum

The Men of Courage Leadership Forum provided the opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to join global business leaders and influencers for an open dialogue on Personal Branding, Leadership and Economic Stability. The capacity filled room featured innovative thought leaders, Hajj Flemings (Brand Camp University), Walter Ward III (Mobile Business School) and Jonathan Wilkins (Power of Leadership). The forum concluded with a reception and private tour of the Men of Change exhibition and special remarks from Ford Executives, Pamela Alexander and Tacoma Mayor, Victoria Woodard.

Ford Fund Teams Up with the City of Tacoma and the Washington State History Museum to Kick-off Men of Courage Barbershop Challenge  

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  • The Men of Courage Barbershop Challenge invites community-focused barbershops
    in the Tacoma area to submit innovative community program proposals supporting
    why their location should be selected as a Men of Courage barbershop

 

  • Two barbershops will be selected as finalists and compete for a grant of $10,000
    to activate community engagement programs at their shops

 

  • Challenge runner-up to receive $5000 for their favorite nonprofit organization

Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, is joining forces with the City of Tacoma and the Washington State History Museum (WSHM) to offer motivated barbershops in Tacoma an opportunity to compete for a $10,000 grant to support programs they create to educate and empower African American men in their community. Additionally, the runner up in the challenge is eligible to select a local non-profit to receive a $5,000 grant.

To apply, shop owners should visit http://fgb.life and submit their application online. Applications are being accepted now until November 22, 2019.

“The Men of Courage program is designed to uplift and celebrate the many contributions of African American men to our world,” said Pamela Alexander, director of Community Development, Ford Motor Company Fund.“We are excited to bring this program and the associated barbershop challenge to Tacoma.”

The Men of Courage Barbershop Challenge is an expansion of the Men of Courage (MOC) grassroots program that launched in 2015. Its intent is to build communities by advancing the narrative of black men through storytelling. The MOC initiative has included several activations that include community outreach, education programs and toolkits for conversation starters.

Over the past three years, curated forums have been held in Detroit, Baltimore, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles with national stakeholders such as activist Shaka Senghor, former Detroit mayor and NBA Hall of Famer Dave Bing, and NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis participating. With nearly 200 community leaders serving as mentors and engaging in hours of storytelling, vision boarding and solution mapping with young men in the community, the work has resulted in more than 2,000 toolkits downloaded in 34 cities around the country. Additionally, the theme of the 2016 Ford Freedom Award, which celebrated and recognized achievements of lasting and positive impact for African Americans, highlights the pivotal work of the Men of Courage program.

“In helping African American men tap into powerful community conversations through this new program, we are making a statement,” said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards. “We are saying that their ideas matter and can, in fact, profoundly shape the evolution of African American male identity in this country.”

The Tacoma MOC Barbershop Challenge seeks state-certified barbershop owners ages 18 and up to submit innovative applications that state why their barbershop should be distinguished as a Ford Fund Men of Courage shop and what that would mean for their community. Two finalists will be selected to compete by developing community engagement programming for adults and youth that focus on education, entrepreneurship and empowerment. Ford will support their efforts leveraging partnerships such as the Washington State History Museum and Microsoft to facilitate fun and engaging activities such as coding workshops, Xbox Game Nights and amplifying a job search with LinkedIn.

“We are proud to partner with the Ford Motor Company Fund in bringing their innovative Barber Shop Challenge to the Tacoma area. We look forward to experiencing the impact of the fun and meaningful activities that will come out of the challenge,” said Jennifer Kilmer, director of the Washington State Historical Society. “Men of Courage is the perfect companion program to the Men of Change exhibition. The Washington State History Museum is honored to host that exhibition this winter and we encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to see it here.”

To apply, shop owners should visit http://fgb.life and submit their application online. Applications are being accepted now until November 22, 2019.

The Men of Courage program serves as a complimentary grassroots activation to the Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. exhibition at WSHM December 21 – March 15, 2020. Created by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), Men of Change is made possible through the support of Ford Motor Company Fund and highlights revolutionary men—including Muhammad Ali, James Baldwin, Ta-Nehisi Coates, W.E.B. Du Bois and Kendrick Lamar— whose journeys have altered the history and culture of the country. Cincinnati’s Freedom Center was the first stop of the national three-year tour. For more information visit sites.si.edu.

For more information on programs that support the African American community, go to http://fgb.life .

About Ford Motor Company Fund

As the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund’s mission is to strengthen communities and help make people’s lives better. Working with dealers and nonprofit partners in 63 countries, Ford Fund provides access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2 billion in programs that support education, promote safe driving, enrich community life and encourage employee volunteering. For more information, visit www.fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook and Twitter.

About Men of Courage

Ford Motor Company’s Men of Courage (MOC) initiative launched in 2015 as a grassroots program designed to build communities by advancing the narrative of black men through storytelling, intergenerational forums, and community programs. Since its inception, MOC has hosted forums in the five cities and reported more than 2,000 toolkit downloads across 34 cities throughout the US.

About Washington State History Museum

The Washington State Historical Society partners with communities to explore how history connects us all. The Society’s most visible activity, the Washington State History Museum is located in Tacoma’s downtown core along Pacific Avenue among a thriving cultural scene. The museum features interactive permanent exhibitions about Washington’s past, unique rotating exhibitions highlighting the Society’s collections and dynamic traveling exhibitions.

African Pride Doubles Down on Moisture with Addition of Two NEW Styling Products

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African Pride, a trusted hair care manufacturer with more than 30 years of experience creating affordable products with high quality, naturally formulated ingredients has added two NEW styling products to its Moisture Miracle collection.

African Pride’s NEW Flaxseed Oil & Shea Butter Gel N Cream.

 

The Moisture Miracle collection, which hit retail shelves Spring 2018, is crafted with a signature blend of natural, premium ingredients of African origin to help those with kinky and coily textures replenish, restore and retain moisture to keep hair healthy and manageable throughout each step of the wash day and styling routine.

“While we had wash day and the hair maintenance part of the routine on lock, we saw an opportunity within the Moisture Miracle collection to provide additional product solutions to help create well- moisturized and defined styles,” said Kendria Strong, African Pride Director of Marketing. “To do that we knew we needed to find the right mix of natural, premium ingredients that make styling and manageability easier for Type 4 hair to combat shrinkage, while elongating and defining curls and ingredients that provide deep hydration to soften the hair and restore shine.”

African Pride’s NEW Rose Water & Argan Oil Curl Mousse

The NEW Moisture Miracle styling products include:

  • Flaxseed Oil & Shea Butter Curl Defining Gel n’ Cream (6oz) – This 3-in-1 curl training formula blends flaxseed oil and shea butter to provide superior curl definition, hydration and shine; enhancing your natural curl pattern without flaking.

Ingredient benefits:

    • Flaxseed Oil – defines and molds curls, provides natural hold, restores shine
    • Shea Butter – deeply moisturizes, strengthens and protects
  • Rose Water & Argan Oil Curl Mousse (8.5oz) – Lightweight foam blends rose water and argan oil to condition hair while adding body, control and flexible hold, leaving curls well-defined, soft to the touch and frizz-free.

Ingredient benefits:

    • Rose Water – softens and helps to repair hair’s porosity
    • Argan Oil – adds natural shine and smooths hair cuticles

These NEW Moisture Miracle products are priced between $4.49 – $4.99 and are available at Amazon.com/AfricanPride. The Flaxseed Oil & Shea Butter Curl Defining Gel n’ Cream is also available at Walmart.

Additional products in the Moisture Miracle range, which include the (1) Aloe & Coconut Water Detangle & Condition Pre-Shampoo, (2) Honey & Coconut Oil Nourish & Shine Shampoo, (3) Honey, (4) Chocolate & Coconut Oil Nourish & Restore Conditioner, (5) Coconut Milk & Honey Hydrate & Shine Leave-In Conditioner, (6) Coconut Oil & Baobab Oil Hydrate & Strengthen Leave-In Cream, (6) Shea Butter & Flaxseed Oil Moisturize & Define Curling Cream, (7) Moroccan Red Clay & Shea Butter Detox & Soften Heat Activated Masque and the (8) Strengthen & Protect 5 Essential Oils with Vitamin E, can be found at Walmart, Dollar General and local beauty supply stores nationwide.

About African Pride
For 30 years, African Pride has addressed the hair care needs of all hair types and textures whether natural or relaxed with brands like Black Castor Miracle, Moisture Miracle, Shea Miracle, Olive Miracle and Dream Kids. We believe in the unspoken power of a great hair day. The boost of energy that’s given when your beauty and confidence is intertwined should be accessible to all women. That’s why we created African Pride products with premium, natural ingredients at an affordable price to ensure that you’re less stressed about your hair and more focused on stepping into your best self.

The Black Hair Conspiracy

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Since California passed Senate Bill 188 known as the CROWN Act, becoming the first state to provide expanded discrimination protections for natural hair, other states have followed suit — New York, New Jersey, and now a proposed bill in Kentucky.
Desreta Jackson, known for her iconic role in the film “The Color Purple” as the young Celie, is today a natural hair expert and California native well-versed in the hair discussion. As author of “The Black Hair Conspiracy,” Jackson has extensive knowledge of the history of hair and the ways in which common myths and customs have been falsely ingrained in popular culture. As a thought-leader in the natural hair realm, she provides an insiders-view on this current topic with broad insights and well-versed responses. Desreta is available for interviews to educate your audience on the CROWN Act and its implications for 2020.

 

The Black Hair Conspiracy takes an in-depth look into the psychological effects of social media standards of beauty and its mental and physical impact by connecting historical facts with psychological theories by some of the greatest philosophers in history, The Black Hair Conspiracy debunks a series of lies put in place to psychologically enforce and control the thinking that we have learned today.

The Black Hair Conspiracy is a step-by-step guide on how to grow and maintain healthy, natural hair from maintenance to protective styling; while disproving common lessons and practices passed down by mass media and the hair care industry. The Black Hair Conspiracy will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how the hair grows along with how to safely find protective styles. It also warns you against the dangers of bad braiders, hair stylist and salons, all while invalidating common myths and customs we have psychologically been brainwashed to believe. “It is not just hair” is the core of the book that teaches how to connect your own hair energy and harness the powers to understanding your personal and financial wealth connections!

•Learn how to care for chemically treated hair
•Learn hacks to solve common hair problems
•Learn how to make homemade products they don’t want you to know about
• Learn how to use your own natural hair energy

Have fun documenting your own journey with our interactive hair diary and learn your hair Do’s and Don’ts.

Indique Hair Introduces Chaka by Indique

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Indique Hair, the premier provider of virgin hair extensions, today announced the launch of its new hair-wig line with Chaka Khan.

Chaka by Indique is an exclusive collection designed for every woman everywhere! Icon Chaka Khan and her longtime friend and hairstylist, George R. Fuller, love Indique and desired to create special pieces highlighting Chaka’s signature textured looks.

“My hair has always been arguably as iconic as my voice. This collaboration with Indique allows me to share a piece of myself with every woman every wear… I hope that you love it!” -Chaka Khan

Chaka by Indique’s iKhanic Curl is a full adjustable wig with an undetectable 4×4 freestyle parting lace closure. Created using Indique’s Bounce Coil Curl, these luscious curls have a unique coiled pattern that allows you to create a gorgeous tightly curled hairstyle, or brush it through for a natural afro-inspired look.

“I’ve spent half my life, which entails my career, with the legend who is considered Every Woman- Chaka Khan! She has entrusted her crown and glory with my hands for a couple of decades. It gives me immense pleasure, joy, and great excitement to partner with another legendary brand in the hair & beauty industry. To bring to women everywhere the iKhanic line- Chaka by Indique.” – George R. Fuller

Chaka by Indique’s iKhanic Straight is a full adjustable wig with an undetectable 4×4 freestyle parting lace closure. Created using Indique’s Bounce Blow-Out, iKhanic Straight can be worn in its natural state, curled, or flat ironed. This texture has low luster, making any style look super natural.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would be partnering with my favorite hair icon, the one, and only Chaka Khan. This is a major moment in the hair extension industry and I’m thrilled to offer the Chaka experience to everyone who loves Indique.” – Ericka Dotson, Indique’s Co-Founder & Creative Director

Chaka by Indique is available for purchase at www.chakabyindique.com, www.indiquehair.com, and at the Indique Hair Boutiques.

About Indique Hair

Chaka by Indique is an exclusive collection designed for every woman everywhere! Icon Chaka Khan and her (longtime) hairstylist George Fuller, love Indique and desired to create special pieces highlighting Chaka’s signature textured looks. (PRNewsfoto/Indique Hair)

With a winning combination of hair experts and stylists and more than 30 years of industry experience, Indique Hair International provides 100 percent virgin human hair that is natural and of the highest quality. With an impressive client base that consists of Chaka Khan, Lady Gaga, Kelly Rowland, Lala Vasquez, Gabrielle Union, Rihanna, Ciara, Taraji P. Henson, Brandy, Zendaya and more, Indique Hair’s unique Indian virgin and natural human hair extensions are lustrous and tangle free.

Indique Hair is the only company that produces hair extensions at the source, with headquarters in India. Indique Hair has 18 freestanding boutiques in metro New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Boston, Silver Spring, Ghana, Johannesburg and more. www.indiquehair.com

About Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians of our time. With a rich musical legacy, the 10-time GRAMMY® Award Winner is looking forward to a celebration of a lifetime. As a songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and activist, Chaka Khan has influenced generations of recording artists. She has the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music, and classical. Affectionately known around the world as Chaka, she is revered by millions of fans, as well as her peers, for her timeless, classic, and unmatched signature music style and ability. The late, great Miles Davis often said, “She [Chaka] sings like my horn.” The Queen of Soul, also praised, “[Chaka] is a one-of-a-kind, premier vocalist.”

About George Fuller

George Robert Fuller has spent more than half of his life gallivanting around the world through toxic clouds of hairspray while beautifying behind the scenes of some of the industry’s most iconic people. He does this all in the name of making them “GEorgeous”, not to be confused with gorgeous. His clientele represents legends across the globe, including multi-award winning artists Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, the late Natalie Cole, Olivia Newton-John, and Anita Baker. George’s versatility has also allowed him to work with leading executives Linda Johnson Rice (JPC), Juanita Jordan (JVJ enterprises), Mellody Hobson Lucas (Ariel Capital), Cathy Hughes (Radio One/ TV-One), just to name a few.

www.chakabyindique.com
www.indiquehair.com

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Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Launches Confident Beauty Campaign

Announces Yara Shahidi, Elizabeth Olsen and NiNi as celebrity ambassadors

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is proud to partner with three multi-dimensional women to magnify its original ethos of celebrating individual beauty and female empowerment with the launch of the “Confident Beauty” campaign.  American actresses Yara Shahidi and Elizabeth Olsen, along with Chinese actress NiNi are the brand’s newest global celebrity spokeswomen brand sharing their “beauty truths” – the guiding honesties behind the lives they lead, to inspire women everywhere.

“Remaining true to our brand’s core essence, each of these powerhouse women are emblematic of the modern Bobbi Brown consumer – confident, individually beautiful and defining success on their terms,” says Sandra Main, President Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.  The campaign will hero the brand’s longstanding and beloved foundation products of Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation and Intensive Skin Serum Foundation.  The Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation lineup will also be expanded with 12 new shades globally.

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has always been committed to providing the perfect match for all skin tones.  Our deepest foundation shade family is still Espresso, which was first introduced in 1992 with the launch of Foundation Stick.  The brand’s unique shade philosophy originated from the intuition and precise eye of an artist, who recognized that the truest skin match meant looking beyond skin’s surface to the natural undertones that create each women’s unique skin color.  The result has always been a broad shade range of undertone correct, skin true shades that deliver fresh, healthy, glowing skin.

Black and Iranian actor and activist, Yara Shahidi explains what drew her to Bobbi Brown, “I think the brand represents what my generation represents: The importance of inclusion. The fact that it’s been so important for the brand in both makeup and philanthropic endeavors since the beginning, speaks to the fact that it’s not a commercial trend but something they’re committed to.”

“It’s incredible to be part of a brand that has been so consistent and true to its identity in an industry that’s so inconsistent. Since the 90s we have seen many trends come and go and come back again, and Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has always been a timeless brand,” says actor, producer and women’s advocate, Elizabeth Olsen.

Award winning Chinese actor, NiNi first fell in love with the brand while preparing for a red carpet appearance by her longtime makeup.  “For me, I admired the brand’s quality products that made my skin glow, effortless New York spirit and the limitless feeling of confidence.”

In celebration of the Confident Beauty campaign, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics will officially launch The Pretty Powerful Fund on International Women’s Day March 8th.  Bobbi Brown Cosmetics will donate $400,000 to four worthy charities selected by our ambassadors that reinforce the Fund’s mission of supporting the creation of new possibilities for women and girls.

The first iteration of the partnership will appear in March 2019 worldwide. Preview the campaign at Bobbi Brown.

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Marketplace Africa –more than just an African artisan shopping site

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Chinwe Ezenwa –Le Look Every handmade bag is a work of art. Each print tells a story, a struggle, a personal journey. Thirty-five years ago, Chinwe Ezenwa started a company she named “Le Look.” Born out of the purpose to help the needy, especially those disabled, it was built out of compassion for those disabled close to her because she saw that even though someone cannot hear or speak, that person can see and can still use his or her creative mind.   Le Look has evolved from a salon into a style house. Famous for its eclectic African print handbags, Le Look is a brand that celebrates and honors African tradition through a lens that is distinctive, modern and qualitative. Every handmade bag is a work of art. Each print tells a story, a struggle, a personal journey. Chinwe is very passionate about informing the world of the stories and beauty of Nigeria and she does just that with her collection of exquisite handmade handbags, worn on the arms of women all over the world, as she puts Africa’s great creative energy to use! As Chief Mrs. Chinwe says, “I always insist on putting a Made in Nigeria label on my products because that is how it is done in China.” Le Look bags are beautiful because they are a work of art. Although Le Look has grown as a brand, using state-of-the-art technology with the capacity to make tens of thousands of bags, we have not lost sight of the purpose from which we started. We remain passionate about giving back to our community because we believe the world we live in should be a safe and joyful place for all of us. Le Look bags are 100% handmade in Nigeria masterpieces that are leaving their prints on fashion – pun intended. Today, Le Look is a brand.  Le Look is a culture. Le Look is a voice.

 “Everyone has a story to tell, a lesson to teach, and wisdom to share. Life is a beautiful masterpiece bound together by your experiences. Open up and share your story; become an inspiration to others. You can make a difference because you matter.” –Melanie Moushigian Koulouris

Everyone has a story. The talented artisans who sell on Marketplace Africa are no exception. The noteworthy site, founded by Mall for Africa and DHL, has a mission to help bring African-made products to the US and global market.  Shoppers can purchase gorgeous products directly from the source. The site offers items from the continent’s most talented designers and artisans from a variety of categories including fashion, body care, handbags, jewelry and home décor.

Until recently, African craftspeople were isolated from global customers due to distance, the risk of not receiving overseas payments, and complex shipping requirements.  Customers who wished to purchase products directly from African artisans faced obstacles regarding, accessibility of items, authenticity and validation of the product, uncertainty of delivery, high delivery costs, and secure payments.

Here is just one story from the hundreds of talented artisans on Marketplace Africa. Her name is Chinwe Ezenwa and she makes beautiful handbags.

Get Ready to Define YOU!

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Get ready for the ultimate in moisture that lets you define YOU. Mixed Chicks’ Coil, Kink and Curl is one of their newest products that is great for styling while nourishing too!

Sold worldwide, the top selling brand for the “curly set” has been letting customers globally pamper themselves.

Their Coil, Kink and Curl is yet another amazing addition to their product line and features:

  • Six nourishing oils to help retain moisture
  • Makes styling easy
  • Great for for wash & go, finger styling, two strand twists, coils and spirals.
  • Promotes growth and adds definition
  • Ideal for thicker, fuller textures

The Coil, Kink and Curl is great for Wash-n-Go and to extend your favorite styles. Grab some and style as YOU wish! $12- available on www.mixedchicks.net as well as stores nationwide including Target, Rite Aid and more.
Let me know if you are interested in featuring the Coil, Kink and Curl and if you’d like a sample – thank you!

The flowers are blooming – are your curls?

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It’s time to let the curls bloom! Mixed Chicks’ Coil, Kink and Curl lets you wash & go so you can get back to enjoying all things nature now that spring has sprung. Apply to wet hair and then allow to dry or use it for protective styles such as  Bantu knots or two strand twists by applying liberally and styling as desired.

The Coil, Kink and Curl features:

  • Six nourishing oils to help retain moisture Makes styling easy
  • Great for for wash & go, finger styling, two strand twists, coils and spirals.
  • Ideal for thicker, fuller textures

With the sun ready to shine, let your curls blossom the way nature intended with Mixed Chicks’ Coil, Kink and Curl!

$12- available on www.mixedchicks.net as well as stores nationwide including Target, Rite Aid and more.